March 05, 2012

First Friday Unblurred OOTN

Chloé landscape dress worn backwards as jacket* 
(similar but costly Dries landscape print dresses here, here, and here; colorful, slightly less costly non-Dries option here)
DVF Shawnessy underneath (similar here and here)

I wore this outfit to Unblurred to visit the galleries along Penn Avenue in Garfield and Bloomfield (just a stone's throw from my home) last Friday. In Pittsburgh (and in many other cities) on every first Friday of the month, gallery storefronts open their doors to feature new exhibits, complete with refreshments, live music, and the opportunity to mingle (or at the very least people watch). It is a fun ritual and in between last Friday night's downpours, I made a break for those spaces that were nearby.

I opted for unbelted but I think belted works too.

Although Pittsburgh's First Friday event transcends the corridor near my residence to reach various areas of the city, I love that I can walk to some of the galleries. After a week's worth of commuting I try to avoid my vehicle as much as possible on weekends. Before I had this job my car would regularly sit for days untouched. I like living in a very walkable area, also serviced by public transit. So I recognize this to be a luxury of location. Even though I'm not crazy about my commute I wouldn't trade it for the lifestyle I can live on my days off and when I can work from home.



Highlights from First Friday: The opening of the Center for Postnatural History -- a small but information-packed museum space examining the scientific, corporate, and genetic interventions made by humans over the recent and less-than-recent past toward the manipulations of crops and creatures. 



Stephen Tuomala's exhibit, "The World Made Flesh" at Modern Formations Gallery. The artist took pages from Biblical texts and fastened them together for his canvas. Although this re-purposing might be controversial among some audiences, the result of the anatomic prints is stunning and graphic in its visual display.



And on a lighter note, I really enjoyed the Irma Freeman exhibit of Cat Paintings at the Irma Freeman Center for Imagination.

Speaking of Pittsburgh art and artists, be sure to enter the Redraven Studios giveaway

*As an aside, I fell in love with this Chloé dress years ago and found one on ebay last year. I have struggled with finding ways to wear it because it is a bit shorter than my usual comfort length. I realized that the functional full back zipper opens up additional layering opportunities and I think it worked out well. Although for teaching I would probably wear it belted, I like the way the thicker fabric drapes when unfettered.

12 comments:

BiblioMOMia said...

The dress as jacket is brilliant! What a lovely shape and pattern--perfect for a First Friday.

Terrie said...

Cool way to wear that dress! And what a cool museum! I like the term "postnatural." I'll have to remember that if I'm ever in Pittsburgh.

respect_the_shoes said...

I adore that dress! The shape and print are fantastic - and it wear it as a coat is brilliant!

Terri said...

I like the dress as an overdress/jacket and especially like it belted.

Jesspgh of Consume or Consumed said...

I worried that the belt looked fussy but I appreciate the vote of confidence!

Jesspgh of Consume or Consumed said...

Thank you! It took me some time to track it down but I am glad for its surprise versatility!

Jesspgh of Consume or Consumed said...

It is worth visiting for sure. I actually hope to return when it is less crowded since the opening party atmosphere didn't allow for as much reflection as I'd like.

Jesspgh of Consume or Consumed said...

Thank you! I thought it was a neat piece.

Jesspgh of Consume or Consumed said...

It's such a great idea. It's good that so many cities of all sizes do it because it fosters a sense of broader participation within communities that might otherwise be fairly insular or regarded as elitist.

Jesspgh of Consume or Consumed said...

Thank you! I think it works surprisingly well as a jacket so I was glad I decided to try it out.

snowymt 55 said...

Jess!  I love that you wore the dress as a jacket!  The print is fabulous and very art gallery appropriate! ;)

embarrassmentofriches said...

I love the dress worn backwards! That's so cool.  

First Friday is a really neat idea isn't it? I think The Tuomala exhibit looks really great.

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